Iberville Parish mayors welcome progress on Mississippi River bridge

Information of funding and the choice of three websites – all in Iberville Parish – have come as a welcome announcement not just for parish officers, but in addition these in metropolis authorities.

Three mayors from Iberville Parish advised Submit/South they see large advantages on the horizon now that the state Division of Transportation and Growth has narrowed choice to Iberville Parish.

The DOTD introduced final month that the three ultimate websites are in Iberville.

Plaquemine Mayor Ed Reeves sees the undertaking as a gamechanger that’s lengthy overdue, though it could pose a number of challenges at first.

“It’s going to be attention-grabbing, and I’m grateful that we bought it in Iberville – it’s badly wanted,” he stated. “However I’ve gotten a number of calls in regards to the site visitors that’s coming by way of city, however the identical site visitors goes by way of Addis and Brusly, though they’ve two break up highways going by way of there.”

Reeves stated he hopes the environmental course of strikes faster than the 2 years.

“They know the least resistant spot is Evergreen Plantation, and they need to pull the set off and get performed with it –that’s my opinion,” he stated. “However it’s going to be a plus for us, open loads of alternatives for the folks within the Metropolis of Plaquemine.

“We’re prepared to maneuver ahead, and I wish to thank Parish President J. Mitchell Ourso for his tireless, relentless efforts to make this occur.”

St. Gabriel Mayor Lionel Johnson stated the announcement got here as considerably of a shock.

“My preliminary response was shock that every one three elections had been in Iberville Parish,” he stated. “Nonetheless, a bridge in Iberville is late.

“On the St. Gabriel finish, every is in shut proximity to 3 very distinct areas,” Johnson stated. “I proceed to remind those that with funding as subsequent phases, the bridge is a future undertaking.”

Whereas the bridge is essential to the area, Johnson desires the state to additionally give attention to the widening of La. 30 from to lanes to 4 lanes.

“It deserves extra speedy and urgent consideration,” he stated.

On the north finish of Iberville Parish, Grosse Tete Mayor Mike Chauffe stated the undertaking could have as a lot impression on his space, though the bridge could be situated 25 miles from his municipality.

“Little doubt we’ve been needing a brand new bridge for no less than 10 years, however the state has been procrastinating on it for a very long time,” he stated. “When you commute from anyplace to the westside, it’s a nightmare.

“The individuals who don’t journey that space haven’t any inclination how inconvenient it’s to drive to Baton Rouge,” he stated. “It’s unacceptable to see how the one lane of interstate has inconvenienced so many individuals – it’s lengthy overdue.”

Submit/South reached out to White Citadel Mayor John Morris, who was unavailable for remark.